An ADD/ADHD Question? *Please Help*?

My daughter is going in for an ADD test in a week. I am not sure what to expect but i have talked to the doctor and the phsycologist and the school counseler and they have all pretty much told me the same thing, but the didnt tell me what the actual test(s) would be like. They did say that they would test for things like ADD,ADHD,BIPOLAR DISORDER,DYSLEXIA, ECT. Because they told me that those things get mixed up alot durring diagnosis. But we are all pretty sure its ADD. If there is a parent out there whos child has gone through this kind of testing before and has had experience in this feild, any helpful answers will be considered. Thanks ~Worried Mom

You are a concerned mom who is doing the right thing. There are too many misdiagnosed cases of ADD/ADHD and too many overmedicated children out there. There is one true test that measures brainwaves that can accurately diagnose ADD/ADHD.
Not enough people get that, before a perscription from a doc that's in bed wuth some drug company. Sometimes ADD/ADHD can be regulated with a modified diet and behavioral therapy, but sometimes medication is necessary. Find out first, because some meds have side effects that are worse for the child than the disorder.
It's important to find out exactly what the problem is, because labeling a child creates a stigma that is often self-fulfilling. Sometimes it's simply an anxiety disorder brought on by trauma or famiy interactions. I am not saying you're a bad parent or abusive, but sometimes a child feels pressures from sources you are unaware of, or one parent that is emotionally unavailable to the other, or to the child.

I would do these physiological tests, as well as see both family (whole family) and individual counseling for the child. Any issues that require counseling to deal with need the WHOLE family to participate, not just the "target patient".

It's the whole family's problem, not just the child, and this avoids the stigma of the child being seen as "the bad seed" or the "one who needs to be fixed". Besides, the whole family will need to know how to handle, or manage, the behavior of themselves and the child.

In any event, it's important to let the child know that you want to help but you don't know how. That's why you are doing this, so you can learn how to be a part of the solution, rather than a part of the problem.

Good luck to you all, and take care.

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Just so you understand, any child that goes in for testing is diagnosed ADD and put on meds. I would give your child a loving enviornment, well balanced meals (not processed food), and a little patience. The drugs may show some improvment at first but like many things in the long run they either stop producing the same desired effect, stop working, or produce undesirable side effects. Please unless you child is seriously falling behind developmentally don't jump to the "is my kid ADD?" trip to the doctors office....or at least take it with a grain of salt when the prescription pad comes out. Get your kid involved in music and a team sport try to nourish the areas of their life you see that they are able to focus, and help them work the mind muscle.

Don't worry to much ! My son had to go too and it was very easy .We had to go to a psychologist and had separately to answer question s like :
For the child : Do you have friends ,what is your favorite toy etc

For the mom : what kind of change have you noticed . can she concentrate good does she eat well .sleep well etc
Nothing you or your daughter need to be afraid of.
I am glad I went and after the diagnosis we got th prescription for the meds and everything is so easier .School is much better .The grades are great ,attention span is better,no fidgeting anymore
Live has gotten so much better for my son that he now really can enjoy life to it's fullest !
Don't be scared

Good luck to you both

There shouldnt be anything to worry about the tests dont DO anything to the child. They are activities that are designed to show how the child will respond to certain things. One ADD test is on a computer and it kind of like a hearing test. A dot appears on the screen and the child has to indicate where on the screen it is.

my child went through testing.it consisted of doing things such as name the months from the end to the beginning, hand-eye coordination activities. the testing is nothing that you can really prepare for. it took about 3 hours for the initial visit. you will probably have a lot of paperwork to fill out concerning the child's medical history and both parent's medical history. i had to take in things that had been happening at home and at school. i had to have his teacher fill ou paperwork. the dr. basically gives the child lots of activities that require thought, coordination, and many other things. add children have a very difficult time completing the tasks. the dr takes several factors into consideration when diagnosing.

My younger brother had to have ADD and ADHD test and OCD tests before and it's nothing to worry about. jUST BE SUPPORTIVE TO THE CHILD. while going through his tests i was his biggest support.

There is absolutely nothing to be worried about. I am sixteen years old. I have ADD, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (S.A.D.) and general anxiety. So yeah, I've been through it all! Testing for these things is simple... it's not even a "test" like a blood test or anything like that. Basically, she'll just fill out a little piece of paper of questions and the doctor may ask a few questions. They're really nice people, and there's nothing to be worried about. A LOT of people have ADD.. and once I got on the medication, school and everything was so much easier. I used to get C's and now I get straight A's. That's how much it helps. Good luck!

The testing is no big deal. It will likely not be blood test or anything like that or anything that will cause pain.

Many children enjoy some of the tests I do for ADHD. Some of them involve playing with toys, depending on the age of the child. Two of them are on a computer and the kids like that. There are some activities and some questions that you will answer and some that your child and your child's teacher (likely) will answer. The evaluator should not only look at your child's answers but the process they use to come up with the answer.

If done by a good evaluator, it may take a couple of hours or more. It should be done by a licensed psychologist who has experience with children and these types of disorders so check out the credentials of the person doing the testing. If your pediatrician referred you, the person is probably pretty good, as doctors know who is good in a certain area.

They may do an IQ test and an achievement test as well as rating scales where they will ask you to answer questions about how often your child does certain things.

Remember that ALL children do these things. The key with ADD/ADHD/Bipolar, etc is the DEGREE to which they are different from other kids their age. For dyslexia, they will probably give a reading test. They may even do a screening test to see whether colored overlays will help your child read better.

I hope this helps. Relax so that your child will not pick up on your anxiety. It really is not that bad. Like I said, many of my students actually enjoy the testing and I do whatever I can to make them feel comfortable and welcome in the office.

P.S. It may be some time before you know the results. The tests have to be scored and a good evaluator will want to take time to make sure of an accurate diagnosis. Waiting even a couple of weeks is not out of the ordinary, so don't stress about this part.

My daughter is ADHD, but did not have any testing. We were able to tell by her actions, the answers that both of us gave to the doctor and counselor, and when she was put onto the medication how much she improved, that she was ADHD. Before she was put on Adderall she could not read a book, now she goes to the library and brings home several and reads and remembers them! You need to feel comfortable with the answers that you get from the doctor, about everything! Write down your questions and concerns so that you are prepared. Don't leave the office until you are satisfied. Best of luck to you and your daughter.

Don't worry. the test are paper test with lots of questions on them..